If I were to ask you what your most expensive home bill is, there is a good chance you would respond with an enthusiastically bitter, “hyrdo!” It seems as though every week there is a new advancement in technology that makes living in our homes more convenient and desirable. There are new ways to love your home every year such as robot vacuums, custom lighting systems, built in Bluetooth systems so that you can be listening to Hip Hop in the bathroom while your dog listens to Classical music downstairs. I am kidding, but you get the idea. While all these new devices are great, they all rely on electricity and keep your Hydro bill climbing towards the sky. If we look at this idea on a national scale, buildings alone account for roughly 11 per cent of Canada’s Green House Gas emissions! We should all be doing our part to try and reduce that number.

Love Your Home Again

The Government of British Columbia is currently taking an initiative to reduce their hydro consumption statistics by creating the BC Energy Step Code. This code enforces standards that are stricter than in the past around energy efficient building construction. Although this is great for new buildings that do not yet exist, for those of us living in older homes getting the hydro bill down is about as easy as playing darts with cooked spaghetti.

So, what initiatives can you take within your personal life to reduce your home hydro bill and love your home? One thing I’ve found helpful in my life when trying to accomplish something is goal setting. Once the goal is set, I immediately begin to think of ways to achieve that goal in everything I do. Why am I telling you this? Because it is a perfect segue for the ‘BC Hydro’s Team Power Smart’, a challenge created for residents of British Columbia to reduce their energy bill by 10% over the course of one year. If a registered participant successfully accomplishes the 10% reduction in comparison to the previous year, BC Hydro will award them with a $50 credit. Not only are you reducing your monthly expenses, you get paid to reduce your impact on Green House Emissions to the planet! Another appealing part about this challenge is that once you are registered, your energy consumption is displayed in easy-to-follow charts and graphs so you can learn exactly when you use the most electricity throughout the day on your home.

Money Saving Tips

As I mentioned earlier, I am a goal-driven guy. I also love the idea of saving money, so I registered for the BC Hyrdo’s Team Power Smart challenge immediately after I discovered it. After the first month, I learned that my television uses a lot of power (it is pretty old so I am not surprised). I now turn off the entire power bar for the television, speakers and Apple TV when I am not using them and I save money and electricity. This information keeps me accountable to my goal, and already I’m on my way to a $50 credit! This December I was down 10 per cent on my hydro consumption in comparison to last year. I have to admit; it is kind of fun. Heck, you can even turn this into a game with your kids, roommates, significant other or even your office at work. Why wouldn’t you want to help save money and our environment at the same time and in turn love your home?

It may be a small step, but it is a step in the right direction. I tip my hat to this unique incentive offered by BC Hyrdo and I encourage you to give it a try.

How do you register for the Team Power Smart challenge? Through your ‘My Hydro Account‘ on the BC Hydro website. Here are some links for more information:

Whether the Victoria housing market is out of reach, or you’re looking to have a smaller impact on the environment, micros suites may be the answer. The introduction of micro suites, sometimes referred to as micro-lofts or micro-condos, are becoming more readily available.

Benefits of micro suites

Developers are seeing the benefits of these tiny apartments and are creating unique, innovative ways to live in the downtown area, and enhance your lifestyle.

Units as small as 250 square feet allow buyers to live an urban lifestyle at an affordable price, with all the added benefits of downtown living. Most micro-condos have built-in units such as murphy beds which convert to kitchen tables, and every nook, cranny and corner is optimized for storage which can be hidden away.

Some have shared spaces within the building for dining, or lounge spaces where neighbors can hang out, and some have shared laundry facilities for added convenience.

The obvious pitfall to these types of units is they are very small. Ideally suited for singles, seniors, students and anyone who does not have a lot of belongings, they are perhaps not the best idea for a young family or more than two people. Parking can also be difficult, or non-existent in some cases, so be sure to check on this if you’re considering a move to one of these units.

Micro suites

Both The Janion located near the Johnson Street Bridge, and The Dominion Rocket at the corner of Blanshard and Yates offer micro-units that are ready for you to call home. Be sure to ask about what’s included, as some are furnished and all you need to bring are your clothes!

Located near transit and with high walkability, micro-condos are likely here to stay. You can experience urban waterfront living, close to inner harbor and downtown fine dining, all at an affordable price.